RESUMO
PURPOSE: Giant papillae (GP) in patients with vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) refractory to clinical treatment may cause serious corneal complications, such as shield ulcer. We propose a surgical treatment--resection of GP--in conjunction with free autologous conjunctival graft to treat severe cases of VKC with GP. METHODS: Six eyes of five patients with VKC, characterized by GP and shield ulcer refractory to clinical treatment, underwent surgical resection of GP associated with free autologous conjunctival graft. RESULTS: No recurrence of GP over the graft was observed during follow-up intervals ranging from 9 months to 27 months. Corneal shield ulcers healed during the first week after treatment and did not recur. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with refractory VKC and GP associated with corneal shield ulcer may benefit from resection of GP and autologous conjunctival graft.